JOURNEYS IN STEAM
The Aspire Artemis Foundation believes that when young women and girls have role models, they could become excited about a field in which they may not have otherwise considered. Taking on a holistic approach allows and encourages young people to think outside of the box. As part of our series on promoting women in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Culture, and Math (STEAM) fields, we are sharing stories of women who are blazing trails in these areas as well as of young women who aspire to pursue careers in those fields.
In short, we aim to increase the amount of women and girls in STEM subjects through highlighting the importance of the inclusion of arts and culture in order to spur innovation and creativity. STEAM is a great equalizer and has the capacity to provide opportunities for employment for young people across the globe. We believe that dispelling myths and misconceptions is essential in underlining that creativity and innovation can be used to increase their understanding of what is typically considered difficult subject areas. Substantial changes in mindset are key.
Below are inspiring accounts of some game changing, road shaping and trailblazing women on their journeys of struggles and success in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts & culture, and math (STEAM)
Aisha Jones
I probably have the #bestjobever. I work with an awesome team of scientists and institutional partners in developing innovative products, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals and functional foods from plants found on the beautiful island of Jamaica. Like our people and culture, our island’s biodiversity is like no other. At Biotech R&D Institute we use advanced biotechnological methods to validate the medicinal properties of these plants and then translate our research into products that are safe and effective.
As a young woman and mother of three #amazingdaughters, professional and personal life is a balancing act. Jamaica, relatively speaking, is well documented for female progression to the highest levels of leadership. But there is still much to be done, especially in the area of STEAM.
And although a path less travelled for women of African descent living on a small island, I sincerely believe that STEAM has given me an amazing opportunity to contribute to my family, my community, my country and hopefully - one day - the world. I am honoured to #payitforward and support women AND men as they chart their own journeys in STEAM.
Aisha Jones is the Executive Director of Biotech R&D Institute in Jamaica.
#STEAMwork #WomenGainingSTEAM #AspireArtemis #changemakers #youth #womensempowerment #education #doers #empowerfutureleaders #trailblazers #science #engineering #womenintech #gamechanger #womeninscience #innovation #tech #technology #stem #stemeducation #stemgirls #womeninsteam #strongwomen #inspiringwomen
Wariara Waireri
My drive in the STEAM field is fuelled by the desire to create the next generation of young African scientists, engineers and innovators. Science, technology and innovation is paramount to transform Africa into a high-tech industrialised economy. I draw parallels with the economic boom experienced by the Asian Tigers in the mid-60s to early 90s. The success and transformation of those economies propels me to remain committed to using STEAM to solve global grand challenges and spur socio economic development. In short, there hasn’t been a time when I reconsidered my engagement in the field.
Over the past three and a half years, we have come across some remarkable students who have enrolled in our program. They have left a lasting impression on myself and the E-Lab team for the strides they continue to make in the STEAM field. For instance, one of our students Boniface Kyalo enrolled in our summer program in his penultimate year of high school. Back then, he had mapped out his career path in marketing and advertising. During the summer program, he undertook an Android and Python workshop, which sparked his interest in computer engineering. Today he is an undergrad student at LeHigh University, Pennsylvania pursuing a STEAM related degree. He has also been a Dalberg fellow. We have great stories like these, of students who we believe will make a great impact in our society. These young people are the ones that shape my determination.
As the co-founder or The Engineering Lab, I am the only female in our small team of 8. I am pleased to say that in my engagement with educational clients, within my team and with others - I have not experienced any gender discrimination. Simply because we thrive off of great ideas that create an impact, rather than focus on the gender of the originator of the idea. —Wariara Waireri
Wariara Waireri is the Co-founder of the Engineering Lab Africa
#STEAMwork #WomenGainingSTEAM #AspireArtemis #changemakers #youth #womensempowerment #education #doers #WeAreDoers #mentorship #empowerfutureleaders #trailblazers #science #engineering #womenintech #gamechanger #womeninscience #innovation #tech #technology #stem #stemeducation #stemgirls #womeninsteam #strongwomen #inspiringwomen
Nashlie Sephus, Ph.D.
"My most exciting position was being CTO of startup Partpic in Atlanta (where we created visual search algorithms for replacement parts) and getting acquired by Amazon." - Nashlie Sephus, Ph.D.
I was first introduced to engineering in a summer camp after 8th grade, thanks to my science teacher who recommended I attend, and I knew that was what I wanted to do from that point on. I was always excelling in math and interested in how things worked, not to mention I heard it was a lucrative business. I somewhat naively decided to major in computer engineering knowing it would be a fun journey yet having no idea how much hard work would be ahead of me.
As most women in engineering fields can relate to, I was usually the only female, African American, and sometimes American in my core classes. With lots of support and mentors, I was reminded that if I felt behind or at a disadvantage, I could always get to where I needed to be with perseverance, hard work, and determination. This often meant sleepless nights in the lab finishing projects.
Pursuing my Ph.D. at Georgia Tech was tough yet rewarding. For example, I failed my qualifier exam multiple times before passing, but I never gave up, secured a great support system, and decided I was going to endure the race. I had the opportunity to work at several companies and study abroad during my collegiate and graduate tenures, such as IBM, GE, and Delphi.
My most exciting position was being CTO of startup Partpic in Atlanta (where we created visual search algorithms for replacement parts) and getting acquired by Amazon. My latest heartfelt project is non-profit The Bean Path, where we provide free tech guidance and mentorship to people in the community.
Lastly, as advice to others, don't be afraid to take risks, you can always work to catch up if you're behind, and a well-balanced support system is essential.
Nashlie Sephus, Ph.D. is a Software Development Manager at Amazon and Founder of The Bean Path. She is also the Chief Technology Officer of Partpic, a startup which received over a million dollars in seed funding and was later acquired by Amazon.
#STEAMwork
#WomenGainingSTEAM #AspireArtemis #changemakers #youth #womensempowerment #education #doers #empowerfutureleaders #trailblazers #science #engineering #womenintech #gamechanger #womeninscience #innovation #tech #technology #stem #stemeducation #stemgirls #womeninsteam #strongwomen #inspiringwomen #partpic #amazon #thebeanpath
Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green
”During my my freshman year at Alabama A&M University, I had changed my major three times. I was coming out of calculus, and a lady named Ayesha Fields, who was working on her Ph.D. in physics at the time, pulled me aside and basically said, ‘You must be pretty smart taking calculus as a freshman. I bet you can do physics.’ She told me that if I majored in physics, then I could probably go into any other major later, so I thought it was the perfect major for someone who was undecided. And like that, I became a physics major. She went on to become the 50th African-American female in the United States to get a Ph.D. in physics, and then I became the 76th.”
“After graduation, I went back home to St. Louis [MO], and my aunt, who raised me with my uncle, announced that she had cancer and that she would rather die on her own terms than experience the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. I was her caregiver. Seeing cancer eat her from the inside out changed me. Three months after she passed, my uncle was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and I was his caregiver while he went through chemo and radiation. Seeing him lose 150 pounds and all of his hair, that is when I really became filled with the conviction that there has to be a better way.”
“During a freshman internship at NASA, one of the scientists explained that satellites from outer space can tell whether a dime is face-up or face-down. And I said, “If a satellite can tell whether a dime is face-up or face-down, then why can’t we treat cancer in a specific region of the body?” That didn’t make sense to me as a physicist. So after my aunt died, I sketched out what I thought would be a good idea for using lasers to treat cancer. Then I went to grad school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to figure out how to use lasers to treat cancer. That was my sole objective. It was singular and focused, and that was all I wanted to do in life. That is when I knew that this was my passion, my purpose, my ministry — this was it.”
“When it relates to black women, I think that the images that we see portrayed on TV and in the media have historically not been the most positive. I think it’s important for little girls to see positive role models that look like them. And I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have people who mentored me. That really mattered. I know some people who weren’t encouraged, and when you don’t water a flower, it dies. “
“The most rewarding thing about my work was that little girls wrote black history month reports about me, portrayed me in their programs and said they want to be scientists like Dr. Green when they grow up.” - Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green
Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green, one of the first African American women to earn a Ph.D. in physics, holds the distinction of being only the second African American woman and the fourth African American to receive a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). With more than ten years of interdisciplinary research experience, Dr. Green specializes in developing targeted cancer therapies using lasers and nanoparticles. Her expertise lies at the intersection of nanotechnology, immunotherapy, and precision medicine.
Notably, Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green developed a cancer treatment that uses lasers and nanotechnology to kill cancer in mice in just 15 days after a single 10-minute treatment with no observable side effects. She founded a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation, to raise the funding for human clinical trials so this treatment can be made affordable for everyone. Dr. Green has intertwined her life’s purpose into the mission of the organization: to change the way cancer is treated and reduce the suffering of cancer patients by providing a treatment that is accessible, affordable, and effective. To learn more and support her efforts, visit OraLee.org and follow her on social media @DrHadiyahGreen.
#STEAMwork #WomenGainingSTEAM #AspireArtemis #changemakers #youth #womensempowerment #education #doers #empowerfutureleaders #trailblazers #science #engineering #womenintech #gamechanger #womeninscience #innovation #tech #technology #stem #stemeducation #stemgirls #womeninsteam #strongwomen #inspiringwomen #cancerresearch #cancercure #oralee #physics
Keima Gardiner
Billowing clouds of dark smoke spewed from the Beetham Landfill, tainting the afternoon sky, and it was as I looked on in anguish, then at age 16, that I had my ‘eureka moment’ and resolved to pursue a career in environmental sciences. Little did I know, in years to come I would remain connected to that same landfill in my professional undertakings.
My engagement in the STEAM field began with a background in sciences at my alma mater, Bishop Anstey High School, in my home of Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, and eventual attainment of a World Rank Order National Scholarship for Geography at the Cambridge Advanced Level Exams. This afforded me the opportunity to pursue a double major in Environmental and Natural Resource Management and Geography at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine and York University in Canada on an exchange programme. At these institutions my passion for the field was evident as I received multiple awards for excellence in academic achievement, inclusion on the Dean’s Honour Roll and eventually graduated with a Bachelor’s degree with First Class honours.
Yet, in spite of these accomplishments, for months on end I agonised as despite unrelenting efforts, I was at home, unable to find employment and be a productive member of society due to a heavily saturated environmental job market in Trinidad and Tobago. Anyone in such a situation knows it is a constant battle to remain motivated and not be overcome by a broken spirit. Perhaps it was my passion and unwavering desire of wanting to assist with re-aligning development trajectories, like Trinidad and Tobago’s, towards a path of sustainability that kept me optimistic.
When my fortune eventually changed and I was offered a job at the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD) in Trinidad and Tobago, how grateful I was to not only be gainfully employed in my field, but to gain access to a wealth of information and experts and have the opportunity to represent the country at several regional fora. Shortly after, I continued along my quest by attaining a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science from Lund University in Sweden. This was also the entry point into the world of waste management as my final dissertation explored the possibility of bridging the nexus between waste and energy through biogas production at the Beetham Landfill.
I am currently employed as a Waste Management Specialist back at the EPPD, focusing on the domestic management of toxic chemicals, hazardous wastes and policy formulation, with appointments and representation on behalf of the government, country and in some instances the region, at a range of assemblies presided over from the national to international level.
Though still early in my professional career I have observed that often it is challenging to be regarded as equivalent to male counterparts, or be respected as a young, competent female professional. Many times it is easier to let the work speak for itself, although this too can be daunting when the tangible outcomes of your labour are slow to materialise.
My hope is that there would be more fitting recognition of women in the field, and many more would hold positions of power, thereby levelling the gender disparity while encouraging the generation of more female exemplars. I trust that these seemingly small steps would catalyse big changes in the future.— Keima Gardener
Keima Gardiner is a young scientist from Trinidad and Tobago.
#STEAMwork #WomenGainingSTEAM #AspireArtemis #changemakers #youth #womensempowerment #education #doers #WeAreDoers #mentorship #empowerfutureleaders
Dr. Nicole Owusua Caesar
Growing up outside of a metropolitan city where options seem endless may require more creativity to construct the path from where you are to where you think you’d like to be. But growing up in a less-bustling place gives us the “quiet space” and opportunity to decide what we would like our lives to look like on our own terms. I loved being outdoors, especially at the beach, but had no idea what kind of life could be supported by those preferences. This was in the mid-90s, pre-internet and pre-email, and the only careers I knew about were the ones that I witnessed around me. I did have my books, my adventure stories and creative narratives, that helped to stretch my mind far beyond what I could visibly see. I brought several lessons from this experience.
Lesson 1: Don’t downplay the importance of including your natural preferences in your decision-making process and read as much as you can for entertainment. I initially believed what I was told by my elders, that no one makes a living in Marine Biology here (in the Caribbean), and therefore pursued a more suitable and sensible Computer Science program instead. It was sound advice; study an emerging field with tremendous obvious opportunity and mobility. These lessons all come with difficult hurdles and decisions to take. My first hurdle was admitting that this chosen field and I were a mis-match. The second hurdle was deciding what I should do instead, despite the opinions of others. It’s no surprise that I found my way right back to Marine Biology. The third hurdle involved gaining access to training and funding in my new chosen field. This step required some hard work and research, aided now by (thankfully) the internet. Graduate school applications, studying for GRE exams and, believe it or not, my coursework in Computer science, resulted in my acceptance to a fully-funded Marine Science graduate program.
Lesson 2: If you are serious about pursuing your passion, take the time to adequately prepare and apply. Be sure to craft and present the strongest possible portfolio. Clearly demonstrate that your transferrable skills are an asset. In essence, take carefully considered and concrete action toward pursuing your passions. The fourth hurdle was overcoming culture shock. The other graduate students were so similar to each other and so very different from me. I joined a few clubs and networked with staff at all levels, resulting in several great friendships and the formation of my support group. These friends helped me through the tough times and smiled at me throughout my entire thesis defense, mainly by calming my nerves.
Lesson 3: Fight against any urge to isolate yourself. Participate generously in group activities with keywords that interest you, be open, smile and have an introductory chat with a wide cross-section of people. You will need a support group to survive the climb to where you’re going. The journey will always be difficult but you are shaped into a stronger and more well rounded person through overcoming the difficulties. The end of my Master’s degree brought the biggest surprise. Armed with technical training to pursue coral reef and coastal research, I realized that the coastal problems discussed in my thesis were symptoms of unsustainable inland activities. I also decided that beyond localized coastal research, I wanted the ability to contribute to sustainable coastal zone management projects at a regional level. To do this I would need to know about policy, environmental management, and gain an improved understanding of socio-nature interactions. I needed an additional course of study!
Lesson 4: As you progress along your path and your knowledge-base and field of experience expand, your goalpost will shift. Be flexible and seek advice and mentorship on a sensible way forward, or sideways, to your new goal. Your path through STEAM training, through any training, will consist of highs and lows. Prepare yourself by asking questions, seeking positive mentorship, surround yourself with persons who share similar aspirations, maintain a supportive network, be mindful to craft the strongest possible resume for yourself and demonstrate the value that you bring to the team, participate in multidisciplinary activities and volunteer to give presentations to build your confidence as a speaker. Don’t let insecurity or timidity encourage you to dim your light. You have a unique contribution to share with the world. Always remember that you are strong and capable!
Dr. Nicole Owusua Caesar is a young scientist at the United Nations Environment Programme.
#STEAMwork #WomenGainingSTEAM #AspireArtemis #changemakers #youth #womensempowerment #education #doers #empowerfutureleaders #trailblazers #science #engineering #womenintech #gamechanger #womeninscience #innovation #tech #technology #stem #stemeducation #stemgirls #womeninsteam #strongwomen #inspiringwomen
Anne T. Griffin
I've always been interested in building new technology in a collaborative role, but hadn't heard of careers like product management.
I studied engineering because I knew that if I understood how things worked, I would be able to build a career that allowed me to be creative, strategic, and technical all at the same time. However, one of my biggest struggles in engineering was in competing with people who were in the same classes as I was, but had been coding since they were 12 years old, when I was just learning. To make up for this, I leveraged going to professor’s office hours. I also focused substantial energy on building professional relationships with professors, as well as with my amazing peers who were also members of the National Society of Black Engineers at the University of Michigan.
In the work world, I have faced challenges as a woman of color, especially as it pertains to having my voice heard and being treated and paid equally. Having supportive family and friends, an excellent career coach, and learning how to level the playing field really helped me survive and thrive in a technical field.
My advice to young women of color is to build a strong support system as you're going through your journey. You will be challenged, but STEAM needs people who look and think like you now more than ever. You can do anything with determination and the right support.
Anne is a human and product manager, in that order, who studied Industrial and Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan. She is passionate about the human aspects of technology and building machine learning and AI products rooted in the realities of the human experience. She is also an Emerging Tech Correspondent for Tech2025, a platform and community for learning about, and discussing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and machine learning and their impact on human beings. She is currently on the advisory board for Rutgers University's Big Data Certificate Program.
Anne contends that empathy at both a product and cultural level is a key value. Her current focus is to explore what "fairness" means at a product level and how teams can integrate empathy and awareness of the impact of bias into the creative and development processes. She has worked with major companies such as Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz, American Express, Comcast, and Colgate-Palmolive.
#STEAMwork #WomenGainingSTEAM #AspireArtemis #changemakers #youth #womensempowerment #education #doers #WeAreDoers #mentorship #empowerfutureleaders
Maier Sifflet
“ Scientists study the world as it is; engineers create the world that has never been. ” - Theodore Von Karman.
I have always been passionate about the field of environmental engineering. It is a profession that not only brings high levels of self-fulfillment, but it also affords the opportunity to contribute towards work that improves quality and lives of others.
My name is Maier Sifflet, Environmental Engineer (LEED Green Associate) and I currently work with the Government of Saint Lucia within the Department of Sustainable Development.
Initially my interest was in Civil Engineering, I was captivated by the creators and solution-finders on the Discovery Channel from a young age, a past time for my father and I. When it was time to select a degree, the choice was easy. I attained my Associate’s Degree in Civil Engineering, yet even after graduating magna cum laude, something was missing and I longed to contribute more to the changing world around me. Slowly but surely, environmental engineering caught my attention and I was accepted into the highly competitive Civil and Environmental Engineering programme. It has been a perfect fit since.
During my uni days, I was surrounded by brilliant, determined women. Ironically, not the gender that comes to mind when you hear the word ‘engineering’. From my professors, mentors and colleagues. We always fought the good fight together, putting pen to paper and boots to the soil, each one motivating and inspiring me in their own way. It was with great pride our graduating class for our year comprised of only women. The trend followed me into my work life where I have been fortunate to work amongst driven women within the Department of Sustainable Development who tackle amongst other things, Climate Change– the global phenomena changing weather patterns that is affecting Small Island Developing States, the most vulnerable territories.
Although working on the back end of various national policy was new to me, the goal remained the same, to improve the lives of others. To date, I have had the opportunity to work in exciting work programme areas, representing Saint Lucia nationally, regionally and internationally. Without a doubt, my field has ample space for professional growth.
If you want to make a positive change in a world where it is often felt that ‘humans have failed the environment’, this is the arena for you. More specifically, I hope young women are inspired to contribute towards this field, make their mark and erase the stigma of engineering being a male dominated arena.
Maier Sifflet - currently works with the Department of Sustainable Development as a Sustainable Development and Environment Officer. She is a LEED accredited Environmental Engineer, with a background in both civil and environmental engineering and her work programme areas include Coastal Zone Management, Climate Change, Environmental Impact Assessment review. She is a Board Member with the Development Control Authority.
JJ Conway
I’m known for saying, “I have the BEST job in the Air Force!”
But it didn’t start off that way.
When I was a cadet at the US Air Force Academy, trying to decide what degree to pursue, I was told by the physics advisor that I could not declare physics as my major because, "Blacks can't do physics." I did anyway, because physics was fun! No other major let you levitate magnets, build satellites, or chart asteroids.
Though a handful of my physics instructors supported me, I found myself rejected by many peers and most educators. I wasn’t invited to the study groups, and one time the professor of a course that I found difficult told me, “My job is to get rid of you. If you will stop coming into my office for extra instruction, then I will stop feeding you the wrong answers.”
Still, I graduated as President of the Physics and Astronomy Club and was high enough in my class to earn a coveted full scholarship for my masters in nuclear engineering. I went on to successfully "do" physics for almost 23 years as a career Air Force Officer.
I had many amazing adventures, including meetings at the White House and being in charge of applied research designing “super cool toys” for our most elite military teams.
Sure, there were frustrating times, such as arriving to my new job as chair of one of my many technical committee only to be handed the trash because people didn’t realize the “Conway” on my name tag was the same “Conway” as their new Chair. But there are so many opportunities that opened up to me, and I’m thankful I didn’t let the prejudice of my undergraduate experience deter me from pursuing this career.
Overall, my career as a physicist in the Air Force has been very rewarding to me and I now encourage girls of all colors and socio-economic backgrounds to strive for careers in STEAM as part of their journey to financial independence.
My most requested STEAM talk, “Succeeding in STEAM Despite Socio-Economic Obstacles,” gives students hands-on, practical methods to succeed in STEAM despite socio-economic obstacles such as poverty, lack of access to quality equipment, and cultural exclusion from study groups and /or academic/professional opportunities.
If I could only give one piece of advice to a young woman starting out in STEAM, it would be to become confident in who you are by first understanding who you are and how you are made, and then by charting a path to harnessing your strengths to achieve your goals (financial, health, relationships, spirituality, self-expression, etc.). Too often, we don’t understand that we are uniquely made and that there is a contribution to this world that only you can make! And because we don’t understand this, we can spend so much time being disappointed in our flaws that we minimize the talents we have been gifted instead of maximizing them to have an impactful and fulfilling life. Being confident in yourself and strengths is key to attracting the quality mentors and opportunities into your life that will allow you to succeed in STEAM despite any obstacles currently in your way.
“I help tech-minded women reach their highest potential. I am a physicist and tech entrepreneur!” — Janine JJ Conway
#STEAMwork #WomenGainingSTEAM #AspireArtemis #changemakers #youth #womensempowerment #education #doers #empowerfutureleaders #trailblazers #science #engineering #womenintech #gamechanger #womeninscience #innovation #tech #physics #technology #stem #stemeducation #stemgirls #womeninsteam #strongwomen #inspiringwomen #JJKnowsTheWay
Josie Louis
“Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all is a form of planning.” — Gloria Steinem
During my college experience, I discovered what my strengths and weaknesses are and that allowed me to find my personal niche. Exploring both the arts and the sciences has helped me consider what I want my major/degree to be by exposing me to different academic disciplines...
I chose to major in biology because I enjoy the study of living organisms. I have always wanted to work in the health/medical field to help assist people that are in need, especially women. Biology is a field that requires a good understanding of all the different sciences.
Even though my career trajectory is just beginning, I find that knowing the “hows” and “whys”of our existence motivates me to be a strong advocate for more women, such as myself, to be interested in STEAM. The human body contains more atoms than the amount of stars in the universe. As more women realize the intelligence and strength that they possess with the help of programs such as this, we will continue to make advancements that will change the world for the better. The future is lit with possibilities.
- Josie Louis
Monique Powell
“It is our duty as men and women to proceed as though the limits of our abilities do not exist.” — Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
My fascination with the Internet started in the summer before my 16th birthday, when I signed up for a few online tutorials and started teaching myself web design. I never looked back.
Since then, I’ve held progressively senior technology-related roles across a number of industries including media, telecoms and financial services, working with great companies like The Gleaner Company, Digicel and Scotiabank along the way. One constant throughout my career, which has always reflected itself in my work, is my passion for web-based technology and the various ways businesses can use it to connect with customers, improve customer care and increase sales.
In 2016, I decided to leave my role as Regional Digital Marketing Manager at Scotiabank, to start my own company; a tech-driven eCommerce and logistics company called QuickPlate that is currently focused on the food delivery space.
The tech startup scene is male-dominated but much of my career has been spent in such spaces, so I’ve grown accustomed to all that comes with the territory. One frequently observed reality of these spaces is that the women present typically have to be twice as good at what they do to get the same amount of recognition or to be given access to the same kinds of opportunities...but the challenge of continually defying expectations is part of the excitement and also helps to fuel my drive.
My hope is that more girls and young women will continue to enter STEAM-focused fields, to the point where we are no longer a minority group in these spaces and to the extent that there will be equal visibility, equal pay and equal opportunities for women who decide to go this route.
- Monique Powell - Managing Director QuickPlate
Mihika Iyer
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” - Albert Einstein
Having been the consummate Harry Potter fan, I have always been intrigued by magic, be it learning all the spells from the book or trying out messy experiments – those that involved bubbling potions (Like from Snape’s Class), gushing volcanoes, electrodes, fire, gases or slime.
It’s this passion that I shared with my sister that drove our parents crazy one summer, “One more slimy mess and ugghh!! Girls, can you please come and clean this up! Do something useful and productive,” our mother groaned.
Meanwhile, at school, the story was completely different. Our slime products became very popular; our classmates loved to play with them and often begged us for the recipes. One night while my sister and I were receiving our daily lecture about sliming up the dining room, I decided we should sell the slime and make some money. I quickly convinced my sister that it was a great idea as we went online to look for slime and found a wide array of slime products being sold on Instagram and Amazon. The fact that I found slime being sold on Amazon gave me the idea to think big. This was unknowingly the beginning of my STEAM journey.
As we started planning our new slime business, we focused on all aspects of running the business. I took on the role of CEO and my sister took on the role of CFO. We then reviewed the different array of products we would ideally like to sell and created recipes for different types of slime. After some experimentation, we started to investigate making slime using quality materials, but at the lowest cost. We researched various stores online and found the best places to purchase quality raw materials for the best prices. Some of the raw materials were cheaper when purchased from China (Daiso clay for example). So we had to think about what kind of demand we would see. We polled our friends to get an idea of what kind of slime they were most likely to buy. We considered this our test group and did a market analysis to understand demand.
We then created an excel spreadsheet of all the raw materials needed, the different types of slime products we planned to offer, the cost of making the slime and the revenue that we could make on the products. We created a type of slime using cocoa powder and chocolate essence and called it “Belgian chocolate slime.” We were surprised to find out that it sold for a premium price because of the exotic nature of the product. This was a lesson learned in advertising and marketing of the products made. With all of the information around market demand, cost, revenue, product design and catalog, product roadmap etc., it was time to think about the business presence.
We had options to construct the business like a lemonade stand model and sell it locally. I searched online to figure out how I could set up an online store to sell our slime. There were many platforms to do that – shopify, wix, ebay or etsy. Therefore, as my research showed, it was not too difficult to set up an online store. I therefore set up a website and an online store.
During our summer vacations, we visited Udne Ki Asha and Akshay Patra, so we decided to donate the profits from this business towards those charities. Setting up the website was mostly about making sure our plan was clear and that our products were highlighted. We took creative pictures of our products and created a rolling marquee of them. We then enabled the store and populated the products. For each product, we had options like size, add-ons, and had to populate prices based on the selections. When it came to shipping, we had to look up USPS rates based on weights and include shipping costs. Finally, we integrated with square to allow for online payments and tracking.
Next, we created a video compilation of the girls from the non profits we visited during our trips to India. We showcased how the girls we met had big dreams and how the money that was spent to purchase slime would be used to help them achieve their dreams. We used software like Windows Media Player and iMovie to create the videos. Our website was clean and easy to make and the store products were populated clearly. So, we launched it to our test group and found that they had questions as they put in orders. Additionally, we wanted to enable a chatbot that helped to interact with our customers.
As I researched some more, I found that there was a chat extension that could be added to the website. This meant that whenever any user was on the website, I could use my mobile phone app to interact with the user and answer any questions they had about the products. This helped with customer satisfaction and engagement with the customers. We created an Instagram, Facebook and Twitter page to advertise our slime products. We found out that there was a way to optimize SEO so that our website would receive a hit whenever people looked up slime. Instagram and Facebook provided capabilities for fixed campaigns where they would serve our page to specific localities or demographics. By doing this, we started getting orders from Israel, Turkey, India and of course all over the USA. The e-commerce software helped us to track orders, mark orders that were fulfilled, contact customers with questions about their orders and track revenue that we made. We also got donations for the work being done and used it towards the charities. We compiled a list of users that had ordered from us and sent them updates with new products and services. We were asked to run slime birthday parties and helped to create Easter Eggs with slime for egg hunts. We learned that seasonality is something that we can take advantage of to create new products and launch those using new campaigns.
Thus, by the end of summer, we raised $1600 towards the charities and had learned about all aspects of running our own global business. In sum, while I am not really big into coding and ecommerce, the current technologies are very easy to use and made it very easy to go big with my idea.
Mihika is a rising junior in Watchung Hills high school, NJ. She has been interning with us at Aspire Artemis this year. She is currently running a podcast series titled InspireHer and as part of that effort has created a nonprofit called Ladyship focused on trying to create awareness and bring the wisdom that women in businesses have learned to early in career women who will be entering the workforce in this upcoming decade. She is passionate about understanding how public policy could and should change to accommodate women in the workforce and finding solutions for women to comfortably navigate the workforce.
Tiala G. Scott
“A thought, even a possibility, can shatter and transform us.” - Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
In my opinion, I am going into the best field ever. I am currently heading to university in the United States to pursue my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. I look forward to all of the new and exciting things that I will learn from Lincoln University’s wonderful team of scientists.
Although it is becoming more commonplace to see women in high-ranking positions, there are still steps that need to be taken. This is especially true in my home country of St. Lucia, particularly in STEAM areas. St.Lucia has no shortage of talented individuals who can assist in the development of STEAM, they just need the opportunity to do so.
A career in science hasn’t historically been the path of choice for young black women, particularly those from small islands like St. Lucia, but that makes the field so much more appealing to me. STEAM opens up a range of career possibilities, not just for me, but for my loved ones, my country, and young girls everywhere. I look forward to making a valuable contribution to the development of STEAM in St. Lucia in the future.
- Tiala G. Scott Co-Founder of HERstoire Collective.
Elena Tohme
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost
You could say that I “fell” into the field of Food Safety when I moved back home after graduating with a BSc in Medical Microbiology and Biochemistry. I never considered this as a career, until I was hit with the harsh reality of the limited job opportunities available in the field of Microbiology in St. Lucia. I applied for a position with a food production company as their Food Safety Technician and was essentially trained on the job before being promoted to Food Safety Manager within 3 months. I was then offered the position of Hygiene Specialist at Royalton Resorts in Saint Lucia. I oversee the implementation of all Food and Water Safety Standards at the resort.
My job entails daily audits of high risk areas and tireless training with staff on the scientific and practical principles of food safety. I’ve come to love my job because it perfectly pairs the thing that I am good at (Food Safety) with the thing that I love (Microbiology).
My long term goals are to sensitize the population of Saint Lucia, a place where food safety is traditionally seldom taught, to the importance of Food Safety. More awareness in the area of Food Safety will help propel the island of St. Lucia into an even bigger and better tourist destination, especially as Tour Operators are putting more and more emphasis on Hygiene Standards at resorts.
Dr. Nevada Winrow
“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” - Shirley Chisolm
Life circumstance has always driven me.
At 18 years of age, I found myself to be a single mother. I birthed a beautiful baby girl, 10 fingers, 10 toes and a head full of hair.
Three hours after her birth, the doctors came in and said,” we have a problem. Your daughter cannot regulate her breathing and is appearing to be having periodic apnea seizures.” What was happening was that she would stop breathing for extended periods of time.
Moments later a helicopter whisked her away to another hospital that could treat her; leaving me alone in a hospital with no baby in the nursery. By the next morning they found the issue; my daughter had a massive hemorrhagic bleed in utero and one after she was born. They had no idea why it happened or what would happen next. Hearing this, I started reading everything I could about hemorrhagic stroke in utero and the prognosis. It was this defining moment that created a course correction for where my life was headed.
I knew I wanted to study the brain. I applied and was accepted to college three months later. My daughter was 3 months old my freshman year. I entered into a 5-year interdisciplinary Psychobiology program, determined to finish in 3 years so that I could move on to advanced studies, I took overloads every semester and went to summer school.
Though my grades were solid, it still did not stop the stigma associated with me being a young, black single mom on a college campus. Many (mostly faculty) thought I did not belong. It was that lack of support that kept me going.. pushing to do my best; and I did, I graduated in three years.
The same “single mom” narrative continued in graduate school and even during my post-doctoral fellowships. You could see their eyes spinning, trying to do the math and figure out how old I was when I had my daughter...Creating roadblocks and excuses as to why I did not need to attend a conference or get involved in a project.
But still I persisted, publishing in peer reviewed journals and presenting on the national and international level and later moving on to become a scientist who was an expert in neurodiagnostic tools and neuropsychological sequalae of sickle cell disease in a pediatric population. I reached for the stars, becoming a professor which led me to being a Dean, and finally becoming an Executive Vice President of a college and Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at a University.
A few years ago, I got my second wind. I was sitting on the beach people watching at an annual scuba diving summit for Black scuba divers. I noticed there were not a lot of Black women. I started to wonder why and then I had an aha moment. “It’s the swimming and getting the hair wet.” My research mind kicked in and I discovered that Black children were five times more likely to drown from swimming than white children and that many Black people cannot swim, reporting to be afraid of the water.
I then started wondering about the number of women engaged in aquatic-based STEM careers (i.e., marine science, oceanography, oceanographic engineering, etc.). There were few. It was from this aha moment that I, along with my daughter, founded Black Girls Dive Foundation (BGDF). BGDF empowers and inspires young girls to explore their STEM identity through science and ocean conservation. Our mission, “Keeping young girls and women afloat,” was imagined and created through a lens of providing opportunities and safe and supportive spaces for young girls and women to explore science with peers and mentors.
My advice in all of this for young girls and women of color is to ignore all the naysayers who discourage you and cultivate a support system of individuals who will be your champion. Those champions need to exist at the educational, professional and personal level. You can do anything with persistence, perseverance and fortitude.
Tamie Marie
I always wanted a career in healthcare; and all throughout my college years, where I majored in Biological Sciences, I intended to study medicine. I taught as a Science Teacher at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School in St. Lucia post undergrad, and as my gap year turned to three, it dawned on me that the success of a child’s education is tremendously impacted by their social, economic and physical environment. Soon after, I’d realized that those very factors, heavily influenced a person’s health. I still wanted a career in healthcare; but the more life unfolded, the less feasible medicine became. I was for all intents and purposes, grown; but unclear as to who, or what I wanted to be, and undeniably ashamed of my uncertainty.
Fast forward to now, I’m not a scientist, a software developer, an engineer or a biostatistician. I’m the coordinator of a precision medicine program at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, I’m currently enrolled in a MHA program at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and my aspirations include working with public health systems in the Caribbean.
For the past decade, nations have used the STEM acronym to summarize their priority in education. But as of late, the newest buzzword going around in STEM, is STEAM. The “A” which stands for Arts, serves as a reminder that curiosity, creativity and collaboration are fundamental, even in STEM fields.
I coordinate a clinical program that offers a customized treatment approach to pediatric cancer patients – tailored to the genetic changes in their cancer. Efforts like these will eventually allow clinicians and researchers to predict with greater accuracy, how to treat different groups of people suffering from the same types of disease. Sure, we utilize cutting-edge technology, but more broadly, my job inculcates the importance of interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and a solution-oriented mindset. I work with multi-disciplinary teams, innovatively develop processes and policies, and evaluate our program’s overall success.
I am still early in my professional career, yet I battle between the idea of precision medicine ultimately improving population health; but I consider what I do now a stepping stone. I believe that being directly involved in the operations and management of health programs and systems, will better enable me to analyze the impact of health and non-health related policies on population health. I like to think of myself as a future healthcare leader, and I want to advocate for creative policies that promote the health of diverse populations.
I’m not yet where I want to be, but I’ve had to accept that no two journeys look the same. I’ve learnt that nothing in life is certain, and that the more I trust God, the less I fear the unknown. I chuckle at the possibility of being a woman in a position of power and influence – at work, and hopefully someday at home, as a wife and mother. I can’t stress enough the importance of support systems and the need to have like-minded women in them. I’ve realized that mentorship is undoubtedly necessary for professional and even personal growth and development, and that having female role models can help ideate who you want to become.
I recall feeling less than enough when applying to graduate school, but did it anyway, driven by mere passion. I now know that disappointments are inevitable blessings in disguises, that hard work and discipline are a must, and that nothing ever beats a try.
We aim to spare cancer patients from treatments that are not likely to help.
I lead a next-generation sequencing effort.